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Streamlining Transportation Decision Making

Streamlining Transportation Decision Making. Becky Lupes Office of Project Development and Environmental Review June 17, 2008. Discussion Framework. PEL Background Benefits Important Elements of PEL - Intra-Agency Coordination - Inter-Agency Coordination - Data Sharing and Analysis

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Streamlining Transportation Decision Making

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  1. Streamlining Transportation Decision Making Becky Lupes Office of Project Development and Environmental Review June 17, 2008

  2. Discussion Framework PEL Background Benefits Important Elements of PEL - Intra-Agency Coordination - Inter-Agency Coordination - Data Sharing and Analysis Lessons Learned FY 2008-2009 PEL Priorities

  3. Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL): What is it? An APPROACH to transportation decision-making A PROGRAM promoting tools and resources Supports FHWA Planning Regulations

  4. Planning and Environment Linkages:An Integrated, Systems Perspective land development proposal Land Use System Transportation System road improvement proposal Water Resources System wetlands identification Other Natural, Cultural Resource Systems habitat or historic places to preserve Integrated Approach opportunities to support multiple community goals and improve quality of life

  5. System-level Planning System-level Planning Transportation Resource Agency Integrated Planning, Consultation Planning Regs/S-LU 6001 Linking Planning and NEPA Planning Regs/ Appendix A NEPA, Environmental Review Process S-LU 6002 Project-level Decision Project-level Decision

  6. System-level Planning System-level Planning Transportation Resource Agency Integrated Planning, Consultation Planning Regs/ S-LU 6001 Linking Planning and NEPA Planning Regs/ Appendix A NEPA, Environmental Review Process S-LU 6002 Project-level Decision Project-level Decision

  7. System-level Planning System-level Planning Transportation Resource Agency Integrated Planning, Consultation Planning Regs/S-LU 6001 Linking Planning and NEPA Planning Regs/ Appendix A NEPA, Environmental Review Process S-LU 6002 Project-level Decision Project-level Decision

  8. System-level Planning System-level Planning Transportation Resource Agency Integrated Planning, Consultation Planning Regs/S-LU 6001 Linking Planning and NEPA Planning Regs/ Appendix A NEPA, Environmental Review Process S-LU 6002 Project-level Decision Project-level Decision

  9. Expected Benefits of PEL Relationship-building Process efficiency On-the-ground outcomes

  10. Important Elements of PEL Intra- Agency Coordination Inter- Agency Coordination Data Sharing and Analysis

  11. Intra-Agency Coordination Obtain executive level commitment to a more comprehensive process Increase coordination among planning, environment, GIS, and IT staff Sample Actions: Conduct inter-disciplinary meetings Host cross-training sessions Develop agency-wide guidance

  12. Intra-Agency Coordination Example Coordination includes sharing information, documents, history, files, commitments Colorado DOT’s Linking Planning & NEPA Guidance and Online Training Incorporated planning products into environmental review process http://www.dot.state.co.us/environmental/Training/NEPA_index.asp

  13. Inter-Agency Coordination Involve resource agencies early in transportation planning Sample Actions: Establish interagency work groups or committees Host workshops (e.g., Linking Conservation and Transportation Planning) Establish MOU’s/MOA’s

  14. Inter-Agency Coordination Example Southeast Michigan Council of Governments’ (SEMCOG) Long-Range Transportation Planning Analyzed potential impacts of planned transportation projects on environmentally sensitive resources Consulted with multiple agencies to determine significant resources and appropriate buffer sizes

  15. Data Sharing and Analysis Share data/analyses among agencies Overlay proposed transportation projects on identified sensitive resources Meet planning requirement for comparison of metropolitan plans to State conservation plans/maps; inventories of natural or historic resources Data and Analysis Tools: Geographic Information Systems Project Screening Tools

  16. Data Sharing and Analysis Example Florida’s Environmental Screening Tool (EST) Identifies and maps environmental concerns Screens potential projects Resource agencies analyze their own data Secure website for project reviews

  17. Lessons Learned Implementation of PEL approach is an ongoing, long-term process Determining and agreeing on the appropriate level of environmental detail is key Decisions along the way need to have good documentation behind them Communication/coordination, both internally and externally, is a major challenge There is a need to demonstrate the benefits of PEL

  18. PEL and Related FHWA Activities Eco-Logical Integrated Planning Context Sensitive Solutions Climate Change Planning Environment

  19. FHWA PEL Website http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp • Overview of approach and concepts • Tips on identifying activities to implement approach • Descriptions of effective practices • Links to other related information resources • Related guidance, regulations, and SAFETEA-LU provisions

  20. FHWA’s FY 2008-2009 PEL Priorities Technical Assistance State-specific technical assistance Peer Exchange on GIS in PEL Linking Conservation and Transportation Planning Workshops Integration with FHWA Initiatives (Eco-Logical, Integrated Planning, etc.)

  21. FHWA’s FY 2008-2009 PEL Priorities Targeted Expansion of PEL Areas Capturing best practices in State DOTs Exploring links between PEL and other planning and environment areas Climate change, freight, non-motorized transportation

  22. Questions? Mike Culp Michael.Culp@dot.gov (202) 366-9229 Robert Ritter Robert.Ritter@dot.gov (202) 493-2139 • Becky Lupes Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov (202) 366-7808 • Diane Turchetta Diane.Turchetta@dot.gov (202) 493-0158 • Mary Gray Mary.Gray@dot.gov (360) 753-9487 http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp

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